Hummel Unveils Japan National Handball Team Uniforms Featuring Traditional Japanese Colors!

Danish sportswear brand hummel has announced the new uniforms to be worn by the men's and women's Japan national handball teams. A press conference was held with the Japan Handball Association (JHA), where six athletes, including Hiroyasu Tamagawa and Natsuki Aizawa, appeared in the new uniforms. The design incorporates traditional Japanese colors, making it a representative uniform for Japan.

Colors Reflecting Traditional Japanese Hues

Over four years have passed since the announcement of the official supplier contract in April 2022. The new uniforms for the Japan national handball teams were designed by design office nendo, also known for their work on the Olympic cauldron and new TGV high-speed train models. Inspired by the nicknames "Comet JAPAN" for the men's team and "Orihime Japan" for the women's team, the design features a dynamic graphic of a shooting star flowing from the left shoulder.

The colors for the court players (CP) are 1st red, 2nd white, and 3rd black for the men's team, and 1st red, 2nd pink, and 3rd black for the women's team. Each color reflects a traditional Japanese hue. Red is "Shu-iro" (vermilion), a traditional Japanese color. Historically considered a color to ward off evil and disaster, it also represents the dynamism of life and solar energy, and was chosen for the 1st uniform to symbolize prosperity.

The 2nd uniform colors differ between the men and women: "Shirogane" (silvery white) for the men and "Sakura" (cherry blossom) for the women. The men's uniform, fitting the "Comet JAPAN" moniker, expresses the sparkle of stars. Sakura, a symbolic flower of Japan, carries the message of Orihime Japan uniting to bloom fully.

The 3rd uniform for both men and women is "Urushikuro" (lacquer black), representing the color of a starry night sky. This unique Japanese black, created by mixing iron powder with lacquer sap, is a warm black polished to a mirror-like finish through repeated application and sanding by artisans. The athletes will shine in this Urushikuro, which maximizes the beauty of faint light.

For goalkeepers, there are three common colors for both men and women: green, blue-gray, and gray, based on the Japanese colors "Getsu-paku" (moon white), "Ai-nezumi" (indigo mouse), and "Tokiwa-midori" (evergreen). The jersey numbers feature a font with cut-ins that resemble light shining through, expressing a strong will and challenging spirit to carve out a new era.

The uniforms are hummel's original handball-specific design, with an improved sleeve pattern from the previous version. This allows for smoother arm movements during the intense raising and lowering motions characteristic of handball. The pants, with a seamless construction in the inseam, enable easier leg opening and reduce strain. The women's team model features a slightly slimmer silhouette that enhances the beauty of female athletes, with slightly shorter pant lengths compared to the men's for a stylish look.

Making Handball a Major Sport

Regarding the new uniforms, player Naoki Fujisaka, who attended the press conference, commented, "It's a change from the previous navy, red, and white. The 3rd uniform is black (Urushikuro), and I'm looking forward to playing in it." He added, "I feel the excitement in our local communities, and I think this is a chance to make handball a major sport."

Hiroyasu Tamagawa said, "I've been on the national team since my third year of university, but the 1st uniform used to be navy blue, so it feels like the atmosphere has changed with the vermilion color. The national team uniform is something you can't wear just because you want to. I want to inherit the will of the players and seniors I admired as a child and feel the weight of it." He also touched upon the success of the Japan national soccer team, stating, "I want to generate that much excitement, and if we can do that, I believe people will have dreams for handball. We want to achieve results."

Information regarding the general sale of the new uniforms (replicas, etc.) is undecided, including the release date. Both Comet JAPAN and Orihime Japan are preparing for the launch, which will be announced at a later date.

About the Japan Handball Association

The Japan Handball Association, established in 1938 as the "Japan Throwing Ball Association," has led the popularization and development of handball in Japan. It joined the International Handball Federation in 1952. In the 1960s, it unified to the current "7-a-side" format, and both men's and women's teams made their first appearances in the World Championship. The association has earned representative berths in numerous international competitions as a leader in Asia, including the 1972 Munich Olympics. Domestically, it has successfully hosted many international events, such as the 1997 Men's World Championship (Kumamoto). Currently, it is working to create an environment where people can enjoy handball in their daily lives, implementing a 10-year plan for next-generation playing environment development with the perspective of future players as the top priority.

【OFFICIAL WEBSITE】https://handball.or.jp

About hummel

Founded in 1923, the Danish sportswear brand "hummel" developed the world's first football boots with studs. At a time when soccer was played in leather shoes, adding studs to the flat soles dramatically improved grip, enabling plays that were previously impossible. This led to the adoption of the bumblebee (hummel in German), which was theoretically unable to fly due to its weight but achieved flight through persistent effort, as the brand name and logo. After 100 years of history, the brand now pursues its unique brand story with the vision "CHANGE THE WORLD THROUGH SPORT," continuing to take on new challenges.

【OFFICIAL WEBSITE】https://www.hummel.co.jp